Overseas Overlord

Epsom Derby winner Sea The Stars was a winner again today in the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes at York. This horse is currently ranked #1 in the International Federation of Horse Racing Authority world rankings. He has now scored four straight Group 1 victories and six in a row.

His trainer, John Oxx, is reportedly pointing to the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes on September 5 for his next start. Will the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita on November 7 come into play for what is certainly the best horse in Europe and maybe the world right now? Oxx says that the Breeders' Cup will only come into play if weather interrupts his plans for Sea The Stars in Europe. Apparently, Sea The Stars does not like soft turf surfaces.

So, to quote Gene Kelly, "Come on with the rain, I've a smile on my face!" The American racing public should get to see the best of the best in the Breeders' Cup. After all, they are the WORLD Championships, right? I was at the 2002 Breeders' Cup at Arlington Park in Chicago and Rock Of Gibraltar was the star of stars that day. I still remember the roar that went up from the crowd when Tom Durkin called out, "The Rock is rolling!!" While he couldn't quite catch Domedriver (who had a significantly better trip that day), the rush of excitement that flowed through everyone's veins was palpable. It would be great to see Sea The Stars match up with the best turf horses in the world in the Turf or even the best of the best in the Classic. We are going to be denied seeing America's best horse (Rachel Alexandra) on Breeders' Cup day already, let's not be denied seeing Europe's best as well.

They Are Off will return on Thursday with more. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!